Paneer Hariyali : This is a super healthy entree, full of greens and loved by kids and grown-ups.
This is one of my personal favorites since it adds so much color to the dinner/lunch table. Its also interesting how you can experiment with the variations of the green color of the curry by putting in a variety of greens.
Ingredients:
From The Green World:
- Fresh Dhania (Coriander ) leaves cut in small pieces - 1 bunch
- Methi ( Fenugreek ) leaves - washed and cut 1 bunch
- Palak ( Spinach ) leaves -washed and cut 1/2 bunch
- Pudina ( Mint ) leaves - 6-7
- Green peppers - 1 medium diced very fine
- Green Peas - 1 cup
- 2 green chillies - diced
- Onion - 2 medium diced
- Tomato Cut in small cubes - 2 medium
- Paneer ( Indian Cheese ) - 500 gms
Dry Masala:
- Coriander Powder - 2 teaspoons
- Cummin Powder - 2 teaspoons
- Chili Powder - 1.5 teaspoon ( to taste)
- Chat Masala - 1 teaspoon
- Garam Masala - 1 teaspoon
- Ginger Garlic paste - 1 teaspoon
- Fennel seeds - 1 teaspoon ( ground )
- Salt - to taste
Tadka:
- Oil - 3-4 tablespoons
- Cummin seeds
- Hing - a pich (astafotedia powder)
- Cream - 1 cup
- Milk - 1/2 cup
Heat Oil in a skillet and put in the hing & cummin seeds till the seeds crackle. Now saute the Onions and till they turn translucent and brown..
Then add the remaining greens.. you can add / modify this recipe to ad the greens of your choice and Paneer.Put the dry masala and stir well. Now put the Ginger garlic paste and salt. Stir well. Cook on medium flame and keep stirring every 2 min so it does not stick in the base. Do this for 4-5 min till the curry paste mixes well with the paneer.
Cover it with a lid and on low flame cook for 2-3 min.
Server it hot with Chapati / Tandoori Rooti / Pooris.
For a gravy version, put 1 cup of cream and 1/2 cup of Milk(2%) and let it simmer for 3-4 minutes on medium flame.
Note : Sometimes you can also add grated celery with the greens to trick your children into eating a healthy dish.. I do that!! Just make sure that the quantity is not overpowering i.e. 1/4 cup or less.
To get a greener version : you can make a paste of the green leaves and use it.